That is right no show because Kenny Eninger is still playing in the Bellagio $2,000 entry, No Limit, "5 Diamond Poker Classic"! Thats right Mr. Blackjack is now one of 6 players left on the final table. Kenny was the first day chip leader, here is the leaderboard from cardplayer.com: Day 1 Buy-in $2,000 Total Prize Pool $506,340 Number of Entries 261 Players Number of Rebuys 0 Rebuys Number of Add-ons 0 Add-ons 1 Ken Einiger 286,000 Chips 0 1 3 2 John Hoang 192,000 Chips 0 1 9 3 Chris McCormack 147,000 Chips 0 1 4 4 Kelly Kim 110,000 Chips 0 1 5 5 Keith Gipson 86,000 Chips 0 1 2 6 Men Nguyen 65,000 Chips 0 1 7 7 Fred Berger 62,000 Chips 0 1 8 8 Stephen Diamantas 55,000 Chips 0 1 1 9 Liz Lieu 40,000 Chips 0 1 6 Kenny won his entry in a earlier satellite tournament. Good luck Kenny, go get'em!
Great showing for Kenny Well Kenny was still in with three players left. they decided to chop the pot and since he was the chip leader he got the most, about $118,000 (not bad for a $200 investment). They continued to play for a seat in the Grand 5 Diamond Championship and bracelet. Kenny survived to the final two players when he was dealt a King/Jack. The flop had a King hit the board and was the high card, Kenny moved all-in only to lose the the other players pocket Aces. Still all and all a great show for a really nice guy and good friend. We're all proud of you Kenny, way to go! Special thanks to Joep who kept me updated with Kenny's play.
Txtourplayer:I think "deal" making is one thing that helps poker be far more popular than BJ, plus the fact that poker tourneys are not top heavy. At least 10% of the field makes money. As a tourney director can you explain why "Deals" are not allowed in BJ tourneys and why you can lose money (not cover the cost of entry, expenses, ect.) even if you make the final table?
Thanks Rick, It was a lot of fun this week. I will be back on the radio next week. I am going to LA today with Russ Hamilton to handle some business for the UBT. Everyone happy and safe holidays. Kenny E.
I allow deals I agree with you pokernut. In my events I allow chopping the pot and I don't have "Top Heavy" tournaments. I agree with you that making more winners is the right way to run an event. As far as the casino's I have no idea why they still run them the way they do. I have asked casino tournament directors why they give "Top Heavy" prizes out. Most don't know, and others tell me it sounds better giving more to the winner. Maybe it is just me, but if I ran the casino and was giving the money away I would want more players winning so I would have a better chance at winning it back. Isn't it easier to win $100,000 from 18 players then one? I have said the blackjack tournament formats for casino's need to be changed for the last 7-8 years. When I first started playing tournaments (in 85) there were over 500 players in a tournament, now they get excited if half that amount shows up. However to run a blackjack tournament similar to a poker event there has to be a fee and dealers tips are taken off the top of the prize pool. I still think this is the best way of running a tournament for an over all win/win situation for both players and casinos. The blackjack cruise we just completed I used this format (except for the dealers tips) and I think most of the players really enjoyed it. We are already planning another one for next year. Back to the dealers tips, the players did take a percentage out for the dealers before they chopped the pot. I am also working on some land based tournaments that will use my format for as early as next year if all goes well, keep your fingers crossed. I will keep you up-dated with my progress. Last thing, we need a set of tournament blackjack rules (like in poker) that will be played around the country and not this current casino to casino house rules BS. If we want to be taken seriously we need to get some consistence in our tournaments.
Blackjack Tournament Payouts Tx... You know why the casinos payout top heavy........... They don't spend much money to promote BJ events, so they think the best way to get the most customers is to show them a big $$$ amount they can win.....They aren't looking for you and me, they are looking for casino patrons to come to their casino to play live money, after the tournament.
Champ I was there watching Kenny E play .He played great just like the Poker Champ that he is,did I say Poker Champ sorry I meant Blackjack Champ.Talk about being at the top of his game in both games .Great job Kenny !!
Hey Tex, why don't you start a BJ tourney directors association like Poker has? Then all tourneys would follow the same rules. Also never liked BJ tourneys changing rules (Nevada casinos are very bad at doing this) even as you sat down to play they would change the rules and tell you if you don't like it they would refund your money but you would still be out travel expenses, at least here in Miss. the casino can not change anything in a tourney without written permission from the Miss. Gaming Commision. If they try to change anything, all you have to do is say no changes or I am calling the Gaming Commision.
Yeah KennyE! Just wanted to say that I really missed the show on Thursday, but glad that Kenny did good! btw, what's the progress on the King of Vegas show?
Thursday Return The King of Vegas starts shooting this weekend and the players chosen are being told to keep it "Top Secret ".Maybe that's why they didn't call me back I'm not suppose to know if I'm on the show. Kenny and I will be back on live Thursday after 2 weeks off .
